The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has denied delays in the processing of temporary import permits (TIPs), suggesting instead that transporters and clearing agents may be using the wrong documentation and incorrect platform which would lead to delays. This follows the lodging of a non-tariff barrier complaint last month where it was highlighted that processing the TIPs was taking too long since Zimra had introduced a system where it required up to three TIPs for one vehicle – one TIP for the horse and one per trailer. The anonymous complainant, a clearing agent, said that he had submitted the three required TIPs at the Chirundu One Stop Border Post and waited over 24 hours to receive the permits. A Zimra spokesperson said that the procedure for cargo vehicles was currently only being done manually, as opposed to a mobile application that was used for tourist vehicles. He said the manual Customs Procedure for the Commercial Temporary Import Permit (CTIP) clearance process had been in place for some time and worked effectively for commercial vehicles “The complaint suggests that the agent may be using the eTIP mobile App – an application that is meant for tourist vehicles only – to request TIPs,” the spokesperson pointed out. The Zimra station manager at the Chirundu border could provide guidance on the right documentation, he said.
